Block-press.



No. 864,839. PATENTED SEPT. 3, 1907.

J. G. FOWLER.

BLOCK PRESS.

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No. 864,839. PATEN'I'ED SEPT. 3, 1907. J. G. FOWLER.

BLOCK PRESS.

APPLICATION I'ILED APR. 30' 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

FIG. l

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v PATENTED SEPT. 3, 1907. J. G. FOWLER.

BLOCK PRESS.

APPLIOATIOH FILED APE-30.1906.

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FlGiI/t WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

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JOHN G. FOWLER, OF SEWAREN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE BARBER ASPHALTPAVING COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF WESTVIRGINIA.

BLOCK-PRESS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 3, 1907.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, John C. FOWLER, of Sewaren, in the county ofMiddlesex, in the State of New Jersey, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Block-Presses, whereof the following is aspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My inventiourelates to a press adapted for the compression of blocks ofany suitable material, but especially designed for the formation of suchblocks under conditions requiring the exercise of great pressure toeffect the formation of the block. Accordingly, the block press inconnection with which I have illustrated my invention belongs to thattype in which the motion of the dies which carry the material into themold frame, there compress it, and subsequently deliver it, isreinforced at the moment of compression by the compressive force of tworeciprocating cross heads moving in line with but independently of thedies. As is usual in this type of press the movement of the dies incarrying and compressing material, being a somewhat irregular one, iseffected by cam controlled arms, while the movement of the cross heads,by the opposition of which the extreme compressive force is exercised,is effected by opposed cranks.

My invention relates more especially to the employment of cushioningcylinders for the purpose of easing and regulating the motion of thedies; to the delivery chute by which the plastic material is fed to thedies; to the construction of the mold-frame; to the means forlubricating the surfaces of the dies and adjacent parts; to the slidewhereby the block after compression is delivered to an endless carrier,and to certain other details which will be more particularly describedin the specification and pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

1 have shown an embodiment of my invention especially adapted for thecompression of blocks of asphalt, but it will be understood that it isapplicable to blocks of other plastic material.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I, is a plan view of a block pressembodying my invention. Fig. II, is a central vertical section of thesame along the line II, II, in Fig. I. Fig. III, is an elevational Viewof the machine Figs. IV, and V, are diagrammatic views illustrating thelubricating system. Fig. VI, is a detail section of one of thecushioning cylinders. Fig. VII, is a partial vertical section throughthe delivery tube and the mold frame, taken along the line VII, VII, inFig. II.

In the figures,1, is a bed frame provided with pedestals upon which aremounted bearings for the crank shaft 6, which is driven by the mastergears 7, and 8, mounted on its outer ends. Th ose gears mesh withpinions 9, and 1.0, on the countershaft 11, which carries the drivinggear 14, meshed with the pinion 15, on the driving shaft 16, whichcarries the driving pulley 21. The crank shaft 6, comprises the pairedcranks 50, and 51, and between them the diametrically opposed singlecrank 56. The paired cranks 50, and 51, are connected by connecting rods57, and 58, to the cross heads 59, and 60, sliding in guides 61, and 62.Connected with said cross heads are two parallel side bars 65, and 66,which are secured together at their rear ends by the cross beam 69.These bars are supported in slideways 72, and 73. They carry near theirrear end the cross head 77, which is provided with a bumper plate 82,seated on the coiled springs 83, and strapped to the cross head by theyoke frames 84, as shownin Figs. 1., and II. This bumper plate 82, isarranged to encounter the opposed plate 85, which is connected to thefollower 90, which carries the plunger 91, to which I the rear die plate92, is detachably secured. This follower 90, is supported byand slidesupon the side bars 65,.and 66.

The single central crank 56, is connected to the cross head 95, by thepitman 96, which'is provided with a knuckle shaft 97, journaled insuitable bearings in said cross head 95. This latter cross head isarranged to slide reciprocally on the side bars 65, and 66, and byvirtue of this reciprocatory motion engages a follower 100, which isboth supported upon and slides upon the side bars 65, and 66, and whichcarries a plunger 102, to which the front die plate 103 is detachablyseciu'ed.

The followers 90, and 100 are capable of independent motion withrelation to the cross heads 77, and 95, and for this purpose thefollowing mechanism is provided. The follower 90, is provided with wristpins connected by the rods 114, and 115, to rocker arms carried by therock shaft 119, which has an arm 120, connected by the rod 121, to thevertical arm of the bell crank lever 12 1', on the rock shaft 125. Thehorizontal arm of this bell crank lever is provided with a cam rollerwhich encounters the cams on a cam plate 131, carried by the master gear8. The follower 100, is provided with wristpins connected by the rods137, and 138, to rocker arms carried by the rock shaft 141, which hasthe arm 142, connected by rod 144, to the verical arm of the bell cranklever 145, on the rock shaft 146. The horizontal arm of the bell cranklever 145, is provided with a cam roller which encounters thecams on thecam plate 153, carried by the master gear 7. I

By the operation of the parts thus far described it will be understoodthat the cams of the cam plates 131, and 153, which are carried by themaster gears, impart an irregular reciprocatory movement to the plungers91., and 102, by means of which, as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, the plastic material is carried by the dies 92, and 103, fromthe end of the delivery chute into the mold, and is there compressedinto a block, which is subsequently carried out through the rear side ofthe mold and delivered. Simultaneously with the irregular reciprocationof the followers which accomplishcs this, there is a regular opposedreciprocation 0f the cross heads 77, and 95, due to the opposed cranksupon the crank shaft 6. The motions of these several parts are so timedthat the followers 90, and 100, are not in contact with the cross headsduring the greater part of their play, but at the same moment when theextreme compressive force is required to compress the block, the opposedcross heads come in contact with the followers and add their directcompressive force to the motion of the latter, thereby securing amaximum compression of the block which is being formed.

Owing to the somewhat irregular motion of the followers 90, and 100, andthe irregular strains to which they are exposed, l have found it to beof great importance to properly cushion the parts by which saidfollowers are actuated. This I accomplish by means of two cushioningcylinders. The means for cushioning the follower 90, as best shown inFig. VI, comprises a cushioning cylinder 156, fitted with trunnions 157,arranged to be journaled in suitable bearings mounted near the side ofthe bed frame 1, adjacent to the connections by which this follower isactuated. The protruding end of the piston 158, of this cylinder, isconnected to the vertical arm of the bell crank lever 124. Said cylinderis provided at each end with the ports 160, connected by a pass 161,fitted with a one-way check valve 162; and a second pass 163, fittedwith a retardation valve 164, which may be set to impose any desireddegree of resistance to the passage of the oil or glycerin with whichthe cylinder is filled. During the rearward stroke, the follower 90, issubjected to a heavy stress by reason of the compression of the block.Accompanying this the piston 158, is driven to the rear of the cylinder,during which motion the pass 161, affords an easy passage for the fluidcontained in the cylinder. But during the forward stroke, the follower90, is subjected to no operative strains, and to compensate for this,and thereby equalize the tension upon the parts, and especially upon thecams of the plate 131, the accompanying forward motion of the piston158, drives the fiuid contained in the cylinder through the pass 163,(for the one-way valve 162, prevents its passage in this directionthrough the pass 161), subject to such countervailing resistance as theadjustment of the valve 164, of pass 163, imposes. In this way an evenmotion of the operative parts of the follower 90, is insured, free fromany slamming of the arm of the bell crank lever 124, against the cams ofthe cam plate 131. The means for cushioning the follower 100, as bestshown in Fig. 11, comprises the cushioning cylinder 165, mountedcentrally upon the bed frame 1, and provided with a piston 166, theprotruding extremity of which is connected to a bracket 167, dependingfrom the follower 100. This cushioning cylinder 165, is similarlyprovided with ports 168, at each end, which are connected by a pass 169,fitted with a one-way valve 170; and another pass 171, fitted with aretard valve 172, by the adjustment of which a predetermined resistancemay be imposed during the forward stroke of the piston to counterbalancethe operative stress which accompanies its rearward stroke, and in thisway I am able to so temper the movement of the follower 100, as tosecure a very easy and regular movement notwithstanding the irregularstrains to which it is subjected.

The mold pier 174, supports the mold box 175, over which is superimposedthe mold bridge 176, which depends into said box and forms the top of,and completes the mold frame. Said mold bridge 176, covers only thatportion of the mold box, where the compression of the block takes place,and is rigidly secured to the box by the horizontal through-bolt 177,which extends through both, thereby tying the side walls of the boxtogether and securing the bridge within said box. The structure thusformed is rigidly secured to the mold pier 174, by the vertical bolts 178,

The mold box 175, is provided with liners 180, 181, and 182, preferablyof manganese steel, of which the bottom liner 180, and the side liners181, coincide in length with the mold box, while the top liner 182,precisely fits that portion of the mold bridge which depends into themold box. The forward portion ofthe mold box, not covered by the bridge,is covered by the horizontal base flange 184, of the long vertical chute185, which delivers the material from the hopper 188. As is shown invertical longitudinal section in Fig. 11, and in vertical transversesection in Fig. VII, the lower extremity of the vertical chute 185,dependswithin the mold box to the level of the top of the side liners181, upon which it is secured by the vertical bolts 189, which extendthrough the flange 184, in threaded engagement with the mold pier 174.The lower end of the chute 185, is flush with the upper wall of the moldcavity so as to deliver its material directly in the path of the dieswhich reciprocate within the mold box. It may be noted that the sideliners 181, are overlapped above and below by the top and bottom liners,as shown in Fig. VII. By varying the thickness of the liners, and bysubstituting a delivery tube of suitable width, the mold frame may bearranged to produce blocks of different dimensions, the plunger-s andtheir dies being correspondingly varied.

The chute 185, is of considerable length, and throughout its extent itsrectangular dimensions are constant and correspond to the dimensions ofthe block of plastic material which it is its function to deliver fromits lower end into the mold cavity in the path of the reciprocating die103. By thus prolonging the hopper tube of constant dimension, 1 findthat a much more perfectly compacted mass of material is delivered tothe dies than when fed directly to the mold cavity, from the hopper, oreven by the interposition of only a short neck as has hitherto been thepractice.

The delivery of plastic material to the mold cavity from the lower endof the chute 185, occurs when the die 103, is withdrawn to its extremeright hand or forward position, with respect to Fig. 11. As the plunger102, reciprocates towards the left in Fig. 11, it cuts off the materialwhich has been fed from the chute and closes the delivery aperture atthe bottom of the chute, simultaneously carrying the material into thatportion of the mold box, beneath the bridge 176, where its furtherprogress is opposed by the die 92, and compression of the block occurs;after which the rearward movement of both dies continues, although thespace between them is slightly increased, and the completed block iscarried out of the mold frame, and is delivered upon the curved metalslide 195. This slide effects a quarter turn of the block in itsdescentand delivers it gently upon an endless conveyer196, on which itcools and by which it is carried to a suitable point of ultimatedelivery.

In order to prevent the accidental sticking of the block between the dieplates after their Withdrawal from the mold frame there are providedtwin plungers 199, which reciprocate vertically between the die plates92, and 103, immediately after the block last formed has been carried bythem from the mold frame. These plungers are conveniently provided witha rubber facing, and are mounted upon stems 200, which are arranged toreciprocate vertically in guides 201, and 202, formed in the uprightframe 203. The stems are secured to the yoke 205, which is connected bythe link 206, to the rocker arm 207, on the rock shaft 208, which isprovided with an oppositely extending arm 210, connected by the link212, to a lever 213, which is provided at its opposite end with a camroller 214, which traverses a cam groove 215, in the cam disk 216. Saidcam disk 216, is mounted on the cam shaft 218, which carries a bevelgear 219, meshing with a bevel pinion 220, on the longitudinalcountershaft 221, which carries the bevel pinion 222, meshing with thebevel gear 224, on the crank shaft 6. By the co-action of these partsthe proper reciprocation of the plungers 199, is effected.

For the proper operation of a machine of the class described, especiallywhen dealing with the manufacture of asphaltic blocks, where a hotasphalt composition is compressed, I have found that the properlubrication of the dies, the mold frame, and their related parts is ofthe highest importance and for this purpose, I have provided alubricating system which I will now describe.

As best shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1V, compressed air is taken fromthe air line 230, through the pipes 23]., and led to the top of thereservoir232, which contains lubricating material. From the bottom ofthis reservoir, a pipe 233, extends and carries lubricating fluid underpressure, the rate of flow of which being regulated by a needle valve234, from whence the pipe leads to a sight feed 235, thence to a '1fit-,

ting 236, where it divides into two branches 237, 237, each of which isprovided at its extremity with a nozzle 238, arranged in such a positionas to spray the adjacent faces of the dies 92, and 103. This sprayingoperation is intermittent and takes place only once during each cycle ofthe press when the dies are in registry with the lubricating nozzles asbest shown in Fig. V. For this purpose, the lubricant must be ejectedintermittently in proper sequence with the reciprocation of the plungers91, and 102, which is conveniently effected by the following mechanism,which comprises a pipe 240, leading from the compressed air pipe 231,and joining the pipe 233, at the T fitting 241, a short distance abovethe division of the pipe 233, at the '1 fitting 236. The line of pipe240, includes a globe valve 242, and a chronometer valve 243, the latterbeing intermittently operated by a lever arm 244, connected by a link245, to the lever arm 246, which is secured on the rock shaft 208. Saidshaft as has hitherto been described is operated intermittently from thecam disk 2l6, so as to depress the plungers 199, for the purpose ofreleasing any block," which may adhere to the dies. The verticalreciprocation of the plungers 199, occurs when the die plates 92, and103, have been shifted to their rearmost position and it issubstantially at this moment that the lubrication is effected. Theopening of the chronometer valve 243, causes the compressed air to drivethrough the lubricating nozzles as much of the lubricant as, since thelast operation of said valve 243, has flowed through the pipe 233, pastthe T fitting 241. The rate of this flow, and consequently the extent oflubrication, may be accurately regulated by the needle valve 234. Inorder to prevent the opening of the valve 243, from exerting backpressure upon the lubricating system a check valve 248, is interposed inthe pipe 233, between the '1 fitting 241, and the reservoir 232.

I find that the most efficient lubricant to use in connection with. theproduction of blocks made of asphaltic composition is a mixture of soapand water. By maintaining this soapy solution of a proper consistency Iam able to spread a saponaceous film on the faces of the dies at thetermination of their reciproca tion which serves to prevent theadherence of the asphaltic compound. As the dies are retracted withinthe mold frame they communicate their surplus lubricant to the surfaceof the liners and keep all of the molding surfaces well lubricated. Asbest shown in Fig. II, the curved slide 195, is arranged to receive thedrippingof lubricant which thereby maintains the surface of said slidesmooth, so that no shock or distorting strain is imposed upon thecompleted block as it falls thereon from between the compressing dies.

The curvature of the steel plate which forms the slide is such that theblocks are delivered at a rate of speed very closely approximating thatof the endless conveyor upon which they are shot by the slide so thatthere is no injury done to them by the transfer once from the one to theother.

I claim1- 1. In a block press, the combination of a reciprocating camactuated plunger, cooperating with an opposed plunger for thecompression of a block within a mold frame, and its delivery therefromand a cushioning cylin der operatively connected to said plunger,provided with two passes between its extremities, one of which is valvedto permit easy motion of the piston or the plunger in that directionwhich corresponds to the compressive action of the plunger, and theother of which is valved to interpose an adjustable retardation to themotion of the plunger in the opposite direction, substantially as setforth.

2. In a block press, a plunger, a cam-actuated arm by which the plungeris rcciprocated, a swiveled cushioning cylinder, a piston in saidcylinder connected with said camnetuated arm, a pass connecting theopposite ends of said cylinder, with a one-way check valve interposedtherein, and another pass allording the same connection and providedwith an interposed retardation valve, substantially as set forth.

Ina block press, the combination of opposed reciprocating dies, and amold frame; said frame com n-lsing a mold box forming its bottom andsides, a mold bridge which depends into the box and forms its top, and athrough-bolt uniting the sides of the mold box and passing through thedepending portion of the mold bridge, substantially as set forth.

4. In a block press, the combination of the mold frame and dies; aconveyor for the blocks; a curved slide plate reaching from the deliveryside of said mold frame to the conveyer, the curvature of said slidebeing arranged so as to deliver the block to the conveyer at a rate ofspeed corresponding approximately to that of the conveyor, substantiallyas set forth.

5. In a block press, the combination of the mold-frame; reciprocatingdies; a delivery slide reaching from the de livery side of theinold-frame; and lubricating jets diseh: 'g'ine; upon the dies while onthe delivery side of the frame whereby the excess of lubricant fallsupon and lubricates the slide, substantially as set forth.

(it In an asphalticblock press, the combination of the mold frame anddies; a saponaceous lubricant for said dies; a reservoir for holdingsaid lubricant; means for spraying said lubricant upon the dies; aconveyer for the blocks; and a curved slide plate reaching from thedelivery side of said mold frame to the conveyer, substantially as setforth.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, at Sewaren in theState of New Jersey this 12th day of April 1906.

JOHN C. FOWLER.

Witnesses H. HOLZSCHUHER, STACY M. Covers

